List of Homeless Assistance Programs in Alabama: Alabama offers various programs to assist homeless individuals and families. These initiatives, funded by federal, state, and local sources, provide services such as emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and preventative measures to address homelessness.
List of Homeless Assistance Programs in Alabama
Below is a summary of the main homeless assistance programs available in Alabama:
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
Administered by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the PATH program funds services for individuals with serious mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
Services include community-based street assistance and case management to connect individuals with mental health services and other community resources. PATH teams collaborate with local providers, such as HUD Continuum of Care Programs and affordable housing partners, to facilitate these services.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program
Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the ESG program provides grants to improve homeless facilities and domestic violence shelters.
It supports operating costs, essential services, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Eligible activities include rental assistance, utility assistance, moving expenses, case management, and limited legal assistance.
United Way of Central Alabama Homelessness Prevention and Housing Programs
The United Way offers personalized assistance in finding permanent housing and resources, helping individuals acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain financial stability. Services include affordable housing opportunities, case management, emergency shelter, housing counseling, and rental assistance.
City-Specific Initiatives
City of Mobile: The City’s ESG program funds nonprofit organizations that provide street outreach and emergency shelter services. Partner organizations include The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama, Dumas Wesley Community Center, Family Promise of Coastal Alabama, McKemie Place, Penelope House, and Housing First, Inc.
City of Huntsville: The Huntsville Community Development Department administers ESG funds to organizations that provide prevention, rapid rehousing, street outreach, and HMIS services. Recipients include AshaKiran, Inc., Community Action Partnership of Huntsville/Madison and Limestone Counties, Inc., Crisis Services of North Alabama, Inc., First Stop, Inc., Family Services Center, Inc., New Futures, Inc., and The Salvation Army. Additionally, the Homeless Assistance Initiative, in collaboration with the Huntsville Police Department’s Community Assistance Unit, addresses the situation of unsheltered homeless individuals through a multidisciplinary approach.
City of Huntsville
Housing First Programs
Housing First is an evidence-based approach that provides permanent, subsidized housing without prerequisites such as treatment or sobriety. Studies have shown that Housing First programs are more effective at reducing homelessness and improving housing stability than traditional treatment-focused models.
In Alabama, organizations such as Housing First, Inc. in Mobile implement this approach to support homeless individuals.
PMC
Additional Resources
The 2-1-1 Connects Alabama service provides information on local resources, such as shelters, food banks, and counseling services, for those seeking help. Additionally, the HUD Exchange offers information on homeless assistance programs and contacts from local Continuums of Care.
These programs reflect Alabama’s commitment to addressing homelessness through a comprehensive network of services focused on prevention, immediate relief, and long-term solutions.
Official Application Links:
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) – Click Here
211 Homeless Shelters – Click Here
Homeless Prevention & Housing – Click Here
HUD Homeless Assistance – Click Here
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